Biography - Lemuel Adams
LEMUEL ADAMS, a prominent citizen of Greenville, claims Ohio as his native State. He was born in Dayton, April 30, 1831. Through many generations the ancestry of the family is traced back to John Ap Adam, who left the marshes of Wales in 1310, and settled in England. Those in the line of direct descent are John, John Ap Thomas, William John, Roger Adams, Thomas, Nicholas, Richard, Robert, George and Henry, all natives of England. The family name was Adam in Welsh, and was finally anglicized to Adams by Roger Adam, and the name remains the same now. Henry Adams came to this country in 1632 with eight sons, and settled in Braintree, Mass. One of his children, Joseph, was one of the incorporators of Braintree in 1634. Another son, Henry, removed to Medford, Mass., in 1649, and served as Town Clerk, and was Representative to the Colonial Legislature in 1659, 1665, 1674 and 1675. He was also a Lieutenant in King Philip's War, and was killed in his own dooryard by the Indians. His wife was accidentally killed by an Englishman. We give below a copy of the will of Henry Adams, the founder of the family in this country.
"First, my will is that my sonne, Peter and John, and my dau. Ursula, shall have the ground in the Neck, both upland and meddow during the time I was to enjoy it until it returne into the townes hands againe, from whom I had it. Also the aker in the millfields. My Will is that my bookes shall be devided amongst all my children, that my wife shall have and enjoy all my other Goods so long as shee liveth unmarried, and if shee marry, then my Will is yt Josephe, Edward and my dau. Ursula should enjoy all my grounds in the field that lyeth in the way to Waymouth ferry, and my house Lott with all the houses and fruit trees and all my movables, at the death or marriage of my wife: Provided they and their mother shall pay to my sonne Samuel that weh is due him for the ground I bought of him to be payed in Convenient tyme. But in case God should deal with my wife that shee be constrained to make use of something by way of sale, shee may. finally for movables my will is that my sonne Peter and John shall have an equall share with my sonne Joseph and Edward, and my dau. Ursula.
HENRY ADAMS,
BENJAMIN ALLBEE,
RICHARD BRACKETT. -- 8, 4, 1647. Braintree, Mass.
INCREASE NOWELL, Sec.
Recorded in Suffolk Probate Records, Vol. 2, page 32. Amt. of inventory 75,
13s.
INCREASE NOWELL, Sec."
8, 4, 1647.
Joseph Adams, son of Henry Adams, was the next in line in direct descent to our subject. Then came Joseph, Jr., born December 14, 1654, and Samuel, who was born in Massachusetts in 1694. Nathaniel, born January 19, 1745, the great-grandfather of our subject and the son of Samuel, was also born in the Bay State, was a farmer by occupation, and was a Revolutionary soldier. John C. Adams, grandfather of our subject, was born in Philadelphia, Pa., and married a Miss Waldron, a native of New Jersey. They removed to Virginia, and from that State to Kentucky, in 1798. In 1800 they went to Ohio, settling near Springfield, where he engaged in farming. He afterward removed to Dallas County, Iowa, where his death occurred at the age of eighty-eight years.
John Adams, father of our subject, was born in Ohio in 1802, and married Mary Bacon, a native of New York. He emigrated to Scott County, Ill., in 1850, and there worked at the trade of coopering until his removal to this county, in 1852. He settled in Mills Township, and afterward came to Greenville, where he died in 1877. His wife died the same week. He was seventy-five years of age, and she seventy-three. In politics, Mr. Adams was a Republican. With the Methodist Church he held membership, and his wife was a Presbyterian. Of their six children four are yet living: Nelson, Lemuel, John and Harry.
At the age of seventeen years Lemuel Adams left home, and started to learn the blacksmith's trade in Indianapolis, Ind. In 1850, he came to Illinois with his parents, remaining with them until after their removal to Bond County. He was employed in a blacksmith shop and wagon works until 1861, when, prompted by patriotic impulses, he joined Company D, Twenty-second Illinois Infantry, and was made Second Lieutenant. He participated in the battles of Charleston, Belmont, Farmington, Columbia, and the siege of Corinth, and at the battle of Belmont was wounded in the left arm and hip. He was also taken prisoner and sent to Kentucky, but after a few days was exchanged. He was then confined in the hospital for three months, and while there was promoted to the rank of First Lieutenant. In July, 1862, he rejoined his regiment, and the following November, his health being completely broken down, he resigned his position and returned home. After his return he served as Deputy Sheriff, and later engaged in merchandising with good success for some years. In 1882 he was appointed Postmaster by President Arthur, serving until 1886, when he was elected County Clerk. That office he filled four years.
Mr. Adams was married in 1862 to Miss Julia E. Birge, daughter of Ansell and Millicent Birge, natives of Vermont. She died in 1874, leaving three children, Emma, Edgar and Cora. In 1882, Mr. Adams married Miss Anna Morris, of Indiana, and they have a daughter, Mattie E. Mrs. Adams is one of four children born to John B. and Martha (Chappell) Morris, members of the Society of Friends and natives of North Carolina. The grandfather, Joshua Morris, was a native of the same State, and a miller by trade. The great-grandfather, Nathan Morris, was also born in North Carolina, and his parents emigrated from England to America in the seventeenth century, and first settled on Nantucket Island, Mass. Martha Morris was a daughter of Gideon and Mary (Squires) Chappell, natives of North Carolina, and of French and Scotch descent. The father of Mrs. Adams was an extensive farmer. He emigrated to Indiana in 1824, and there died in 1879, having survived his wife one year. Their children were Francis M., David W., Caleb J. and Anna.
In his social relations, Mr. Adams is a Mason, an Odd Fellow, and a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. His residence is a fine home in the eastern part of Greenville. For many years he has been numbered among the leading citizens of the county, and has borne a prominent part in public interests. He is true to every duty devolving upon him, whether official or private, and the highest esteem of his friends and acquaintances is his.
Extracted 10 Jan 2017 by Norma Hass from 1892 Portrait and Biographical Record of Montgomery and Bond Counties, Illinois, pages 454-455.
